Vigil: From the Booker Prize-winning author of ‘Lincoln in the Bardo’
Jan 2026 · Bloomsbury Publishing
star
2 reviews
Ebook
192
Pages
About this ebook
**THE INSTANT SUNDAY TIMES AND NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER**
A BARACK OBAMA SUMMER READING PICK 2026
'The first must-read book of the year' Vogue
'Resonates deeply in our fractious, selfish age' Independent
'One of America's most distinguished and original writers' Spectator
Order the latest book from the Booker Prize–winning author of Lincoln in the Bardo – a playful, wise, electric novel taking place at the bedside of an oil company CEO, in the twilight hours of his life, as he is ferried from this world into the next
What a lovely home I found myself plummeting toward. . .
Not for the first time – in fact, for the 343rd time – Jill 'Doll' Blaine finds herself crashing down to earth, head-first, rear-up, to accompany her latest charge into the afterlife. She soon realises however that this man is not quite like the others.
For powerful oil tycoon K.J. Boone will not be consoled, because he has nothing to regret. He lived a big, bold life, and the world is better for it... isn't it?
As death approaches, a cast of worldly and otherworldly visitors arrive. Crowds of people and animals – alive and dead – materialise, birds swarm the dying man's room, and associates from decades past show up, all clamouring for a reckoning.
In this electric novel brimming with explosive imagination, George Saunders confronts the biggest issues of our time with his trademark humour and warmth, spinning a tale that encompasses life and death, good and evil, and the inevitable question: who else could we be but exactly who we are?
Vigil was no. 10 in the Sunday Times Hardback Fiction chart and no. 1 in the New York Times Hardcover Fiction chart, w/e 1 February
A BARACK OBAMA SUMMER READING PICK 2026
'The first must-read book of the year' Vogue
'Resonates deeply in our fractious, selfish age' Independent
'One of America's most distinguished and original writers' Spectator
Order the latest book from the Booker Prize–winning author of Lincoln in the Bardo – a playful, wise, electric novel taking place at the bedside of an oil company CEO, in the twilight hours of his life, as he is ferried from this world into the next
What a lovely home I found myself plummeting toward. . .
Not for the first time – in fact, for the 343rd time – Jill 'Doll' Blaine finds herself crashing down to earth, head-first, rear-up, to accompany her latest charge into the afterlife. She soon realises however that this man is not quite like the others.
For powerful oil tycoon K.J. Boone will not be consoled, because he has nothing to regret. He lived a big, bold life, and the world is better for it... isn't it?
As death approaches, a cast of worldly and otherworldly visitors arrive. Crowds of people and animals – alive and dead – materialise, birds swarm the dying man's room, and associates from decades past show up, all clamouring for a reckoning.
In this electric novel brimming with explosive imagination, George Saunders confronts the biggest issues of our time with his trademark humour and warmth, spinning a tale that encompasses life and death, good and evil, and the inevitable question: who else could we be but exactly who we are?
Vigil was no. 10 in the Sunday Times Hardback Fiction chart and no. 1 in the New York Times Hardcover Fiction chart, w/e 1 February
**THE INSTANT SUNDAY TIMES AND NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER**
A BARACK OBAMA SUMMER READING PICK 2026
'The first must-read book of the year' Vogue
'Resonates deeply in our fractious, selfish age' Independent
'One of America's most distinguished and original writers' Spectator
Order the latest boo...
Discover more
Ratings and reviews
2 reviews
Joe Howard
- Flag inappropriate
June 1, 2026
I struggled to connect to this book and as such, the emotional ending did nothing for me. It's an interesting premise but relies on you caring enough about the two main characters. I didn't
Fred Smith
- Flag inappropriate
February 4, 2026
As good as it gets.Wonderfull.5/5
About the author
George Saunders is the author of thirteen books, including Lincoln in the Bardo, which won the 2017 Booker Prize. Three of his books – Pastoralia, Tenth of December, and Lincoln in the Bardo – were chosen for the New York Times' list of the 100 Best Books of the 21st Century. Saunders hosts the popular Story Club on Substack, and in 2013, he was named one of the world's 100 Most Influential People by Time magazine. In 2025, he received the Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters from the National Book Foundation. He teaches in the creative writing program at Syracuse University.
George Saunders is the author of thirteen books, including Lincoln in the Bardo, which won the 2017 Booker Prize. Three of his books – Pastoralia, Tenth of December, and Lincoln in the Bardo – were chosen for the New York Times' list of the 100 Best Books of the 21st Century. Saunders hosts the p...
Rate this ebook
Tell us what you think.
Reading information
Smartphones and tablets
Install the Google Play Books app for Android and iPad/iPhone. It syncs automatically with your account and allows you to read online or offline wherever you are.
Laptops and computers
You can listen to audiobooks purchased on Google Play using your computer's web browser.
eReaders and other devices
To read on e-ink devices like Kobo eReaders, you'll need to download a file and transfer it to your device. Follow the detailed Help Center instructions to transfer the files to supported eReaders.
